More Indonesians Land In Malaya

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30603, 20 November 1964, Page 13

More Indonesians Land In Malaya

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright)

KUALA LUMPUR, November 19. t H l6 Government today confirmed that Indonesian commandos had landed in the Kota finggi area of south-east Malaya. „ Security forces have been deployed to hunt them, a special statement said. Security forces today captured an Indonesian infiltrator in the area. One rifle, ammunition and hand grenades were recovered. Malaysian and Commonwealth forces have been scouring the area, 25 miles from Singapore, for the last five days.

At least 20 armed Indonesian guerrillas were concealed in thick jungle and swamp around the town, according to information received from villagers and miners in the area. The hunt was stepped up two days ago after the discovery of a boat, camp fire sites, empty fuel cans, clothing and a round of ammunition of a type used by Indonesian forces. British helicopters flew in troops and police, while 150 Royal Marine commandos from the aircraft carrier Victorious searched off-shore islands. The Marines were withdrawn later. Report Denied A British Army spokesman in Singapore denied a report by Antara news agency in Djakarta today that North Kalimantan (Borneo) troops killed six British soldiers and wounded seven others in a clash in Sabah on October 13. The flagship of the Asiabased United States Seventh Fleet, the missile cruiser Oklahoma City, arrived in

Port Swettenham, port of Kuala Lumpur, today on a four-day visit. The ship came from the Philippines, and will visit Singapore for three days before departing from Malaysia. Vice-Admiral Roy L. Johnson, flag officer commanding the Seventh Fleet, was met at Port Swettenham by Commodore Anthony M. Synnot, the Malaysian chief of naval staff, and later flew to Kuala Lumpur for meetings with Government and defence leaders, including the Minister for Home Affairs, Dr. Ismail (senior Minister present in Kuala Lumpur at the moment) and the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, Lieu-tenant-General Osman. Courtesy Call Admiral Johnson told reporters his visit was in the nature of a courtesy and formal call. He did not expect to be discussing Indonesia’s “confrontation” of this country. He said things were quiet at the moment' in the Gulf of Tonkin, where the Seventh Fleet has recently been in action against North Vietnam, “but we i'on’t know for how long.” The fleet was maintaining periodic patrols in the gulf, although there were no ships there at present. However, “as you know, the South China Sea has become our centre of gravity in recent

months,” Admiral Johnson said. He said there was no sign of any naval activity in the Straits of Malacca (disputed ground between Malaysian and Indonesian patrol craft) when the Oklahoma City came through. The flagship skirted Typhoon Kate, at present lashing the coast of Vietnam, to reach Malaysia. It suffered no damage. Move Supported In Singapore today shipping circles supported the Central Government’s decision to prohibit all ships carrying arms and other military equipment destined for Indonesia from calling at Malaysian ports. However, they viewed as uneconomical the Government’s decision to extend this embargo to all ships carrying any type of cargo destined for Indonesia from calling at Malaysian ports from January 1. The Malaysian Government last night announced that all ships and aircraft carrying military equipment destined for Indonesia would be prohibited from calling at Malaysian ports and airports from today. From January 1, this embargo would be extended to prohibit ships and aircraft carrying any type of cargo destined for Indonesia from calling at Malaysian ports or airports.